as in squeezing
the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing
the contracting of the time frame for the primaries tends to favor candidates who are already well-known
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in getting
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shrinking
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter
metal contracts at low temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compressing
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
contract the calf muscles in your legs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bargaining
to come to an arrangement as to a course of action
the farmer contracted for delivery of the hay by the first of July
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contracting
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Anyone can fall ill after contracting the virus, but the risk of severe illness is higher for people who are younger than five or older than 65.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
This might involve granting clearance to select staff, contracting with specialized cybersecurity firms, or enhancing internal information technology capabilities.
—Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
The disappearing chat feature is part of a Google Workspace suite that is accessible to about 26,000 employees and has been available in some form since the early 2010s, when the city began contracting with Google for email and other services, Magos said.
—Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Over the years, Cavuto has lived with multiple sclerosis and admitted to missing a few days of work due to contracting COVID-19 and having open heart surgery.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
Isometric holds involve contracting a muscle while keeping its length constant.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024
This would put them at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases.
—Catherine Tan, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Plyometrics is a type of exercise that involves quickly stretching and contracting muscles to create explosive movements with bodyweight resistance, increasing muscle power.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
Any viral outbreak poses a public health risk, particularly for children and older people who may be more vulnerable to contracting serious illnesses when affected.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Anyone can fall ill after contracting the virus, but the risk of severe illness is higher for people who are younger than five or older than 65.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
This might involve granting clearance to select staff, contracting with specialized cybersecurity firms, or enhancing internal information technology capabilities.
—Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
The disappearing chat feature is part of a Google Workspace suite that is accessible to about 26,000 employees and has been available in some form since the early 2010s, when the city began contracting with Google for email and other services, Magos said.
—Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Over the years, Cavuto has lived with multiple sclerosis and admitted to missing a few days of work due to contracting COVID-19 and having open heart surgery.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
Isometric holds involve contracting a muscle while keeping its length constant.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024
This would put them at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases.
—Catherine Tan, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Plyometrics is a type of exercise that involves quickly stretching and contracting muscles to create explosive movements with bodyweight resistance, increasing muscle power.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracting
Verb
-
Mature markets like California, Colorado, and Oregon are shrinking in sales and tax revenue.—
Andrew DeAngelo,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The pool of available CPAs has been shrinking as Baby Boomers and some Gen Xers retire.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Balls with compression of 90 and higher are suitable for advanced players.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
13 Mar. 2025
-
In addition to being both lightweight and quick drying, the material also provides gentle compression for an overall smooth appearance.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Schar and Duran had stretched for a loose ball and the Newcastle centre-half had slid in to win it, with Duran first catching him on the buttock and then in the small of the back.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Try setting aside an hour a week for an online course or catching a webinar.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
By then, Penn State was already on its way to the Big Ten, with the Presidents of the league’s Universities agreeing in June 1990 to make the Nittany Lions the conference’s 11th school.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
By halfway through the 2025 ceremony, the internet was pretty unanimous in agreeing that Glaser ate and left no crumbs.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The crossbody bag option, meanwhile, is less constricting and makes a stylish statement piece on top of any casual outfit.—
Clint Davis,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Dec. 2024
-
But his refusal to adhere to facts isn’t constricting.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
25 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The year was more complex in the Southeast Asian markets, where the contraction in sales at distributors affected overall performance.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The decline was sharper than predicted by a Reuters poll of analysts, reversing January’s modest 0.5% increase and marking the first contraction since January 2024.—
John Liu,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Add a squeeze of lime and some cilantro for this fun take on supper.—
Mary Alice Russell,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Either way, enjoy a side of potatoes cooked in red-tinged chorizo fat and shower each bite with a squeeze of fresh lime.—
Edmund Tijerina,
Bon Appétit,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Their vacuum insulation prevents water condensation from accumulating and keeps your hands dry.—
Lauren Wilrich,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Anti-fog treatments or coatings help create a barrier between the warm air and the surface of the lenses, which prevents condensation buildup.—
Maggie Slepian,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracting. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share